The Toughest Road Climbs in USA

adogg

adogg

Well-Known Member
Following Norm's format for the toughest road climbs in NJ, I'd like to expand further for the toughest road climbs that the riders here rode within the entire USA. I think a good starting point would be to list only climbs that required more than 1,000 feet of climbing. My personal completed climb list out of NJ is rather short, but I'm hoping on making it much longer in the coming years. Thus far:


Whiteface Mountain (Wilmington, NY - June 2014)
Vertical: 3,561 ft
Distance: 8.2 mi
Average Grade: 8.6%
Average Speed: 4.9 mph


Falls Road (Copake Falls, NY - July 2014)
Vertical: 1,213 ft
Distance: 5.5 mi
Average Grade: 4.9%
Average Speed: 7.5 mph


Bear Mountain (Tomkins Cove, NY - August 2014)
Vertical: 1,342 ft
Distance: 5.3 mi
Average Grade: 5.1%
Average Speed: 7.5 mph
 
Isn't Whiteface the one that had almost the same characteristics as Alpe du Huez? (Other than the starting elevation is 5000 ft lower)
 
stb222 said:
Isn't Whiteface the one that had almost the same characteristics as Alpe du Huez? (Other than the starting elevation is 5000 ft lower)
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yep. @ajcourain and I knocked this out on loaded touring bikes...thank god for MTB gearing. I thought the downhill would be super fun, but it was actually terrifying because of having to dodge all of the frost heave potholes

1379523_673700357445_1601706865_n.jpg
 
This ...



Not sure why this posted twice ... but the video is pretty cool - they're literally sliding backward when they stop. Not a thousand feet, either, but given the steepness, I'd take some of those others over this any day. I've walked up this hill in the past and that'll tire you out. They should rename this street "Triple Ring Ave".
 
1speed said:
This ...



Not sure why this posted twice ... but the video is pretty cool - they're literally sliding backward when they stop. Not a thousand feet, either, but given the steepness, I'd take some of those others over this any day. I've walked up this hill in the past and that'll tire you out. They should rename this street "Triple Ring Ave".
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I'll be on that in two weeks 🙂
 
axcxnj said:
yep. @ajcourain and I knocked this out on loaded touring bikes...thank god for MTB gearing. I thought the downhill would be super fun, but it was actually terrifying because of having to dodge all of the frost heave potholes

1379523_673700357445_1601706865_n.jpg
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I found the same thing descending whatever road is in the other side of Mad River Glen. Getting airborne at 40+ is unnerving
 
axcxnj said:
yep. @ajcourain and I knocked this out on loaded touring bikes...thank god for MTB gearing. I thought the downhill would be super fun, but it was actually terrifying because of having to dodge all of the frost heave potholes
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First time I rode up Whiteface was on my hardtail MTB. I topped out at about 33 MPH and those frost heaves did not feel good. I remember "oh my back" when hitting some of them at speed. The views from the top were spectacular though and it was awesome that I had the whole mountain to myself and 3 other cyclists since we rode in late afternoon after toll gate closed not to allow more vehicles to proceed. Anyways, view from the top:


2013 Adirondacks 052.jpg
 
axcxnj said:
yep. @ajcourain and I knocked this out on loaded touring bikes...thank god for MTB gearing. I thought the downhill would be super fun, but it was actually terrifying because of having to dodge all of the frost heave potholes

1379523_673700357445_1601706865_n.jpg
Click to expand...
How long did that take? Strava? Looks like a fun challenge.
 
I would think the climb to the top of Berk mountain would fit this category. @soundz burned through his brakes going down in a car. IIRC @pearl and @Norm rode up it last years trip to Kingdom Trails.
 
mattybfat said:
I would think the climb to the top of Berk mountain would fit this category. @soundz burned through his brakes going down in a car. IIRC @pearl and @Norm rode up it last years trip to Kingdom Trails.
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Yeah, that was big & nasty, especially on a 200 pound all-mountain bike.

Coming down was fun though.
 
1speed said:
Very cool! Is it for an event or are you just out there to ride?
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I have training in downtown Pittsburg, so riding before/after. I don't think I will have time to do the whole dirty dozen loop in one ride so I will probably break it up.
 
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